VERONA – Local veterans were invited this week to Oneida Nation’s seventh annual Veterans Recognition Ceremony at the Nation’s Shenendoah Clubhouse. Wolf Clan Representative Keller George, a Korean War veteran who retired from the U.S. Air Force, presented Col. Clark F. Speicher with a Friendship Feather to thank him for his attendance. 
Oneida warriors, the nation’s first allies, fought beside the colonists during the Battle of Oriskany and the Battle of Saratoga in the War for Independence and members of the Oneida Nation have served in the military during war and peace since that time. 
On hand were past American Legion Department of New York 6th District Vice Commander Bradd Vickers, Chenango County American Legion Auxiliary President Judy Baker, Oxford post 376 American Legion Auxiliary member Rainy Collins-Vickers, and American Legion Department of New York Employment Chair Terry Bresina to hear U.S. Air Force Colonel Clark F. Speicher, commander of the Northeast Air Defense Sector (NEADS) in Rome, address more than 300 veterans and their guests at the Nation’s Shenendoah Clubhouse. 
“This is to honor all veterans - not only Native American veterans,” said organizer Margaret Splain, who does community outreach for the Oneida Indian Nation.  Vickers said. “It’s an honor to be invited to such a prestigious event which is always held prior to the November 11th veterans Day to allow Veterans involved in local events can attend.”   Baker said, “It was interesting to see how effective the air support for ground troops is using the latest technology.”
Col. Speicher explained the role of North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) from World War II to 9/11 and how the operation has changes since 9/11 to date.  The focus of NORAD was primarily on potential attacks from outside the North America. After the fall of the Berlin Wall the program was reduced to a meager existence due to a lack of funding and a belief there was no longer a need. After playing actual response tapes from 9/11, Col. Speicher told Veterans what has changed. How the focus is no longer just on external attacks and the archaic round green monochrome radar screens have been replaced by windows based monitors allowing tracking of aircraft in relationship with actual ground mapping.   Bradd Vickers, who served in Vietnam with the U.S. Air Force under Tactical Air Command (TAC), said “I find it hard to believe it took 9/11 to bring the funding for such an important monitoring program back to the level it should be.” 
Today NEADS mission provides air sovereignty and executes counter-air operations over the eastern United States while directing the employment of 94 sensors, 8 fighter alert locations, AWACS aircraft, a Battle Control Center (BCC), and joint air defense artillery assets to defend one million square miles, 16 major cities, and adjacent seas.  While supporting NORAD’s Integrated Tactical Warning and Attack Assessment, NORTHCOM Homeland Security mission.  Bresina noted “You don’t want to forget it will soon be time for NORAD to perform one of its most important missions, tracking Santa.”
– Bradd Vickers